Framework for glass-polishing units or the like



A. W. PLATT v Nov. 12, 1929.

FRAMEWORK FOR GLASS POLISHING UNITS QR THE LI KE Filed March 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet gwuemtot m Mm Nov. 12, 1929. A, W PLATT 1,735,410

FRAMEWORK FOR GLASS POLISHING UNITS OR THE LIKE Filed March 21. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 rmfi 50 or :0510 0 O 00 00 oi 7;yo o o 00 M1 00 :q .LQJ- 9 v o o O O 0 O O 7 o o 5 7 o 7 a. 0 o g o O O 5 o o o o o o o o o o O O O Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE e ARCHIE W. PLATT, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE EDWARD FORD PLATE GLASS COMPANY, OF ROSSFORI), OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO FRAMEWORK FOR GLASS-POLISHING UNITS OR THE LIKE Application m ma 21, 1927. Serial No. 176,846.

This invention relates primarily to the grinding and polishing of plate glass, and particularly to a framework or support for the grinding and/or polishing units used in connection therewith.

The object of the invention is the provision of a framework of the character described, which is simple and comparatively inexpensive and atthesame time strong and durable in its construction, and has its main girders so arranged as to afford a maximum support for a plurality of operating units with the use of a minimum of material.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a frameworkfor supporting the grinding and or polishing units in such manner that they may be easily and quickly mounted in or removed from operating position thereon. I I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof. I

lVhile the invention is capable ofembodiment in numerous forms, one embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying.

drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a top plan View thereof with parts broken away and with one grinding or polishing unit in operative position. Fig. 2 is a crosssection on the line 22 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away and with a conveyor for the glass to be acted on disposed in operative relation thereto, and Fig. 3 is a frag mentary side elevation. v

The framework forming the invention is preferably composed of structural steel 01' other metal, and includes two longitudinally extending rows of columns or upright sup ports 1 and 2 and an upper framework or platform construction 3 supported by the columns. The columns of one row are arranged in. staggered relation to the columns of the other row, and, in the presentinstance, comprise I-beams mounted on base blocks 4 and each having a horizontally disposed cap plate 5 rigidly secured to its upper end by bracket members 6, or in any other suitable manner.

The upper framework or platform 3 is composed of a plurality of beams or girders 7, in

the present instance of I-form, and extending crosswise of theframework to connect the staggered columns of the two rows 1 and 2 andfixedly mounted at their ends on the respective cap members 5 of such columns. It is apparent that with this manner of arrangement of the beams 7 they form successive V s lengthwise of the framework and combined to form a framework of saw-tooth form with two beams mounted on the top'of each column, with the exception of the end columns of the framework.

The columns 1, in the present instance, are

connected together at their tops by a longitudinally extending beam 8, ordinarily of 'The lengthwise portion of the framework I o defined by the beam 8 and tie members 9 is covered with plates or sheeting 12, preferably of sheet metal, to form a platform extending throughout the length of the framework for a considerable width thereof. This platform is preferably extended over the closed or apex ends of the successive V- members of the framework, as indicated at 13. By this arrangement of the platform plates, the spaces 14 between the apex end portions of successive V-members of the framework are left open for the mounting therein of the 'pohshmg or grinding umts,

and at the same time the framework is provided with a maximum platform portion which extends throughout the length of the framework along one side thereof and crosswise of'the framework at each side of the I unit receiving spaces therein. In each of the open spaces 14 of the frame work is intended to be mounted a grinding or polishing unit 15, one only of such units being shown in the accompanying drawings. These units, which may be referred to generally as abrading units, comprise a housing or casing portion 16 enclosing suitable gearing for communicating rotation from a driveshaft 17 to a vertical spindle 18, which latter is hung from the casing 16 and carries the grinding or polishing head 19 at its lower end for engagement with the upper surface.

of a plate 20 carried by a conveyor 21. This conveyor may be of truck form and guided by rails 22 for movement lengthwise of the framework between the rows of columns 1 and 2 thereof. The casing 16 is provided, in the present instance, at one side thereof with a laterally projecting foot flange 23 and at the opposite side thereof with two laterally projecting foot flanges 24 and 25, and these flanges seat on respective pads 26, 2'! and 28 provided therefor on the top sides of the adjacent cross-beams 7. The purpose of providi these pads on the cross-beams is to facilitate the surfacing of the same to provide level seats for the abrading units.

The spindle 18 is axially movable in the casing 16 to enable the abrading head to be raisec from engagement with the work or to lower, as the abrading action progresses, as is common in apparatus of this character. The vertical movement of the spindle is con trolled by a lever 29, mounted in a suitable fulcrum support 30 rising from the platform 12, and has one end in forked engagement with the upper end of the spindle 18 and its other end projecting beyond an edge of the platform 12 and provided with a downwardly extending rol 31'. This rod extends hrough a bracket member 32 and has an adjusting wheel 33 threaded to its lower end below the bracket to facilitate adjustment of the lever and spindle.

Each unit 16 is preferably'provided with an individual drive motor 34': mounted on the platform 12 and having its shaft .35 in driving connection with the unit shaft 17 through suitable transmission gearing disposed within a casing 36 mounted on the platform 12. in order to facilitate an easy and rapid sconnection of a unit 16 from its power source or a connecting of the same herewith, the shaft 17 is preferably provided with a coupling 37 between the casings 16 and 36.

it is apparent that I have provided a framework and platform for supporting and enabling convenient access to the abrading units used in connection with the grinding or polishing of plate-glass in a continuous manner; that such framework is strong and rigid in its construction and provides successive open spaces for the abrading units with strong adjacent supporting girders therefor, and also that the framework is of such construction that it may be lengthened as desired to suit the number of units to be used.

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrangement or form of the parts, as it is capable of numerous modifications and changes without departing from the spirit of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A framework for supporting a multiplicity of glass polishing units or the like composed of a series of horizontally disposed V-shaped members arranged with the open ends of the members in juxtaposition to the like ends of the adjacent members to provide a Zig-zag assemblage, supporting means for the glass polishing units extending transversely across the spaces between and connected to the adjacent apex portions of adjacent members, means to connect said units to said supporting means in depending relation to the supporting means so as to support the units in said spaces between the adjacent apex portions of adjacent members, a polishing bed disposed beneath the units for supporting the glass to be polished and means to operate the units.

2. A framework for glass polishing units or the like composed of a series of horizontally disposed V-shaped members arranged with the open ends of the members in uxtaposition to the like ends of adjacent members to provide a zig-Zag assemblage, posts supporting the apices and the said open ends of the members, a horizontal beam connecting the open ends of the V-shaped members and adjacent members, and tie beams also connecting the V-shaped members about midway of their lengths, a platform extending transversely across the members and beams so as to expose substantially one-half of the apex portions of the members, glass polishing units embodying vertical spindles disposed in the spaces between the apex portions of adjacent members and beyond the inner side of the platform, means to support the units having opposed portions connected to the adjacent sides of the adjacent members, and means on the platform to operate the units.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

nornn w. PLATT. 

